A state official confirmed Monday that Florida racetrack owner John Brunetti has dropped his complaint against the state over the lease for the Oceanport-based Monmouth Park.
John Samerjan, spokesman for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), said the authority received a letter from Brunetti’s attorney, Paul Josephson, informing the authority that his client is dropping his challenge to the award of the operator’s lease.
Brunetti challenged the state’s lease award to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA), claiming the lease violated the terms of the previous 2011 bid and was fundamentally different from a previous agreement with New York developer Morris Bailey, which fell through.
During an April 19 board meeting, the NJSEA accepted the recommendation of NJSEA interim President and CEO Mark Stefanacci. who found against Brunetti’s challenge to the award of the lease on several counts, including that Brunetti did not participate in the rebidding process after the initial lease agreement fell through.
Samerjan said the NJSEA expects the horsemen’s association to close on the 35-year lease for the park by the end of the week. The Monmouth Park season opens May 12.
— Kenny Walter